Ceiling-fan motor.



lo. 636,87l. Patented Nov. I4, |899.

I H. H.. wAlT.

CEILING FAN MOTOR.

(Application lsd Jan. 16, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

rlallll.

Patented Nov. I4, |899.

H H WAIT CEILING FAN MOTOR.

(Application led Inn. 16, 1889.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No lodel.)

O., wnsnmawrl o c UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

HENRY H. WAIT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE VESTERN ELECTRICCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CEILINGFAN MOTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 636,871, datedNovember 14, 1899.

PPOMOH led January 16, 1899. Serial No. 702,269. (No model.)

- oise, and exact' description.

My invention relates to electric motors, and more particularly to theclass commonly known as fan-motors, my invention being especiallydesigned for use in connection with ceiling-fan motors, which usuallyrun at slow speed, carrying blades having several feet sweep. Generallyspeaking, ceiling-fans are much more satisfactory in operation than thehigh-speed buzz-fans, but they are of such size that they are sometimesconsidered objectionable on account of the amount of space occupied. Forthis reason it is often desirable that they be conveniently combinedwith a chandelier or electric-light support.

The object of this invention is to provide means whereby a chandelier,switch, or similar device may be suspended from the motorframe withoutinterfering in any way with the operation of the motor-shaft and,indeed,with out any connection therewith. It has been usual heretoforeto journal the motor-shaft directly upon the rod or tube which forms thesupport for the chandelier or switch.

In accordance with my invention the frame of the motor is stationarilymounted upon the end of a tube, such as a gas-pipe, suspended in themanner of a chandelier from the oeiling. The armature-shaft is providedwith a longitudinal bore extending entirely through the same and isjournaled to rotate in bearings mounted upon the motor-frame. A portionof this shaft extends downward outside of the motor-frame, and it is tothis projecting portion that the fan-blades are attached, extending atright angles thereto. A stationary rod or pipe passes entirely throughthe bore of the armature-shaft, so that the latter surrounds it like asleeve. The rod or pipe, however, is entirely independent from theshaft, being supported at its upper end by suitable brackets on themotor-frame. The lower end of the pipe may support a switch 0relectric-light xture, the 'wires for which run through this innerstationary tube. A resistance-coil of a rheostat may be located withinthe motorframe, and suitable conductors may connect the resistance-coilwith the switching mechanism before referred to.

It will be appreciated that with a motor constructed in accordance withmy invention the armature-shaft may be provided with selfaliningjournals mounted upon the motorframe and it is possible t0 employ anironclad armature with much smaller clearance between the armature andthe pole-pieces than if the armature were journaled upon a central rodor tube serving the combined purpose of a bearing and a support, as hasbeen proposed heretofore.

My invention will be described more particularly by reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of theceiling-fan motor embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a similar View, thesection being taken in a plane at right angles to the plane of Fig. l;and Fig. S is a plan showing the brackets, a portion of the cover beingremoved.

The same reference-letters are used to indicate the same parts in allthe figures.

The motor-frame ct is mounted upon the lower end of a gas-pipe b, whichmay be suspended from a hook h in the ceiling, and an ornamental casingb2 may inclosethe pipe h, as usual. Pole-pieces a c. are formed upon themotor-frame and are enveloped by the field-coils a2 a2.

The armature c is mounted upon a hollow shaft CZ, which is jonrnaled torotate in selfalining bearings c c, the upper bearing being supported bythe bracket c', mounted upon the motor-frame, and the lower bearingbeing similarly supported by an extension or bracket e2 of said frame.To the lower end of the armature-shaft- CZ are attached the fanblades dd', extending at right angles thereto.

Passing through the hollow armature-shaft d, but entirely independenttherefrom, is a tube or pipe j", carrying at its lower end the support gfor the switch t and the electriclight fixtures 71, h', which pipe f isstationarily supported at its upper end from the brackets e'.

I have found it very convenient to mount IOO a resistance-spool withinthe casing of the motor, where it will be out of the way, and this maybe connected by wires passing through the tube f with the switch h, thusconstituting a rheostat which may be used for controlling the speed ofthe motor.

It will be understood that the term electrical fixture when used in theclaims is to be taken in the sense of a chandelier, switch, or the like,which it might be desired to suspend from the fan-motor support.

Having thus described my invention, l claim as new7 and desire to secureby Letters Patent, the following:

l. The combination in an electric ceilingan, a magnet-frame and bracketsmounted on the frame, journals formed in said brackets, an armaturewithin the frame having a tubular shaft journaled in said bearings, anda fixture-support projecting freely through said shaft and carried inthe upper bracket, substantially as described.

2. In a combined ceiling-fan and fixturesupport, a field-magnet frameand bracketse secured thereto above and below the frame, acentrally-located iiXture-support rigidly secured in said upper bracket,projecting through the lower bracket, and carrying an electric fixturebeneath the frame, bearings carried in the said brackets and an armaturehaving a tubular shaft journaled in said bearings, said shaftsurroundingsaid iiXture-support but being independent thereof,substantially as described.

3. In a combined ceiling-fan and ixturesupport, afield-magnet frame andbrackets secured thereto above and below the frame, a centrally-locatedtubular fixture-support rigidly secured in said upper bracket,projecting through the lower bracket, and carrying an electric fixturebeneath the frame, and electric-circuit conductors terminating in thefixture threaded through said tubular support, bearings carried in thesaid brackets and an armature having a tubular shaft j ournaled in saidbearings, said shaft surrounding said {iX- ture-support but beingindependent thereof, substantially as described.

fl. In' combination, in a ceiling-fan and fixture-support, afield-magnet 'frame and brackets secured thereto above and below theframe, bearings carried in the said brackets, an armature inclosed bythe frame having a tubular shaft journaled in said bearings andprojecting below the lower bearing, and fan-blades carried on theprojecting end of the shaft, a central iiXture-support having one endrigidly secured in said upper bearing and having its other endprojecting below the fanblades, and an electric fixture carried thereonbelow the blades; whereby the rigidity of the bearings is assured whilethe fixture-support is rendered independent thereof, as described.

5. The combination with a frame carrying field-magnets; an armaturemounted on a hollow shaft, and bearings for supporting its upper andlower ends; of a fixture-supporting shaft projecting freely through thehollow armature-shaft and secured at its upper end only to thefield-magnet frame, whereby the iiXture-supportin g shaft may vibratelaterally without imparting movement to the armature or itsheld-magnets.

ln witness whereof l hereunto subscribe my name this 21st day ofDecember, A. D. 1898.

HENRY Il. VAIT. Witnesses:

GEORGE P. BARTON, WINFIELD W. LEACH.

